This is from the southern side of the former border between South and North Vietnam, the bridge across the Ben Hai river.

During my journey to Vietnam in 1995 to write stories concerning the 20th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam war I made a day-trip with a driver and an official guide from the old imperial city of Hue to the former battlefield at Khe San. Instead of going the shortest way we made a detour to the old border and a huge war cemetery inside what used to be known as the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) during the war. In fact this DMZ was a heavily fortified area where lots of unexploded bombs, mines and artillery projectiles still litter the countryside, making unguided walks in some areas dangerous.

For a brief moment I had an eye-contact with a passenger of a bus crossing the river into the neighbouring province. In two workshops you can see photos taken moments before and moments after this shot. They were all scanned from Kodachrome slides.

Hello, Gert,
I can't recognize this old Renault but this bus is very picturesque for this grey background. Fine title, it reminds me some arthouse movie title. ;)
They said Cambodia has got more unexploded bombs and mines.

Hello Get
This is a superbly dynamic and vibrant image! The oblique pov, the perspe tive, the position of the bus in the frame and its cropping and of course the people on the bikes, everything enhances the sense of movement and a fleeting moment of eye contact. The sharpness and the vibrant colours add further liveliness and great visual appeal to this wonderful picture. Superb camera work and thanks for sharing it.
Have a great new week ahead.
Satya

Hello Gert,
it's a great scene, a strong and vivid memory from a journey taken long ago. The eye contact makes a striking impact, maybe the same as in the moment you experienced it first hand. The gentleman must have been looking at you for a while so his fellow passenger tried to have a glimpse too. The local people's reactions to your camera make us connect with the scenes too and our impressions of the settings you present get stronger. The workshop pictures are wonderful complements, I like the consistent moody colours in all three. Congratulations and thank you! There's life and food for thought in your pictures, even in the old ones, those you hadn't processed in an advanced way:)
All the best, have a great evening,
Ourania

Hello dear Gert,
You bring use wonderfull evidences of past times in Asia.
I don't know if it has changed muchg there since 20 years but most probably not much.
Again very good scan sith nice bright colors and perfect sharpness.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

Today this image cached my attention because the yellow bus and then noticing the curious regard of the man (also continue in the WS), but the one at the right is also looking to you, may be they believe you to be an american

Interesting note and interesting having been there at this time, hope and wait more notes and photos about Vietnam

Good evening.
Beautiful view of the moment, interesting text on the site with a description ...
Good work by scanning the slide, shown a nice bus and a bridge with beautiful photographs of the workshop.
Nice memories of 1995.
Good evening and all the best.
Paja.

Hi Gert, Public transport in Asia or South America is something that fascinate me always. Specially how many people can get in the vehicle - motorbike, tuktuk or bus. And I would be delighted to go by it with locals. I suppose you didn't go by something like this. This time you had more films if you made three photos short time one after the other. nice picture.
Merry Christmas :)

Hi Gert
Another street shot decades ago that we don't see everyday which looks like something out of a movie, plus a couple of curious expressions riding on a strange looking bus but no doubt serves a critical purpose there. I really like the angle you've used here which has really accentuated the perspective and strength of the vehicle. The sharpness & vivid colours are delightful and you captured just the sort of street shot that I admire. Congrats
Best regards

We see an old car a Renault maybe out of the french time in Vietnam before the Americans (1950-1955)
I see yet the newspapers for my eyes with a card of Vietnam with the battles around the battle of Dien Bien Phu, long time ago.
Again a wonderful picture in very high quality made.
A lovely composition and pleasant presentation with excellent colours too.
Very well done, TFS.

Hi Gert
Great sequence and I think you chose the most interesting image for the main upload. The look on the man's face tells a story.
Also, I really like the colours of the vehicle they are travelling in - they contrast nicely with the greyish-brownish hues of the surroundings.
Best wishes
Kasia

The vibrant colours bring immediate attention to this well positioned bus and, therefore, to its occupants. he immediately suggest a scenario ...solved only in our imaginations!
The bus, the blurring cyclists, the curved kerbs, all create a sense of movement.

Not only in this case but in the case of all of your uploads there is something about your notes (and your pictures too) which really gives the reader and observer a feeling as though they themselves have actually witnessed an event which you describe. But I suppose that is a gift which is required if one wants to be a successful jouirnalist.

And in this case more than most, the "before/during/after" trio of photographs further compels the reader to believe that he/she is actually standing here witnessing this very moment!

That fellow leaning backwards in the back seat really is "eyeballing" you but I suppose a western European was not a common sight here even in 1995.

The colourful though rather tatty and worn 'bus is perfectly placed in the frame as it just begins it journey across the bridge and the strong diagonal line of the bridge structure leads the eye well into the distance.

Again three exceptionally good scans from Kodachrome slides, each of good quality and each packed with interest.

Fabulous!

May I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a Very happy Christmas!

Hello Gert,
Vietnam has seen many changes over the decades and still scarred by the war. This is a well caught daily life scene from 20 years ago. I like the colours of the rusty old Renault and the man looking at you from the back window. As usual a real enjoyable dip into your archives with an interesting note too.
Kind Regards,
Ann

Looks like the frame of this truck is from an old truck. This is so typical form of transportation in Asia and I won't be surprise if passengers are riding on the roof also. Love the colors. Good pov and dof with nice details. Well done, tfs.

Hi Gert!
Seems the country has been changing a little since then. It's a good scene, I like the colours of the old bus and those two watching you. You also framed it well, with the bikes and moto in front.
Have a Great Christmas!

Hello Gert
Beautiful view of the moment, interesting textyou written
Nice view of bus and a bridge.
Also beautiful photographs of the workshop.
Nice memories of 1995.
Great photo job.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2015.
Saa

Hej Gert
Another great shot from your limitless archives and your travels at a time when travelling was still a real adventure. I wouldn't be surprised if this old bus would still be running today.
god jul och gott nyt år
Daniel

Ciao Gert, lovely composition with nice people on an original trasportation system, excellent perspective, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

I missed this one during the Xmas holidays! I like the old paint on this bumped minibus, and the 2 glances of men inside (!) it. Good framing to see where it is going, following some bikers in the narrow road
Cheers
CLODO